Denninghoff Wins Second 2013 U.S. Open Title

8/2/2013

Sarah Denninghoff won her second title of the 2013 U.S. Open, this one in the 100-meter backstroke, highlighting titles by three Americans Friday night at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center in Irvine, Calif. The Tucson, Ariz.-native previously won the 200m back in 2:09.14 on Wednesday night.

Denninghoff stopped the clock in 1:00.04. Hayley Baker of Australia finished second in 1:00.86, out-touching American Clara Smiddy (Miami, Fla.) who finished third with a time of 1:01.06.

“This has been a great week for me,” Denninghoff said. “[The 100m back] is a fast race so I just put my head back and went. I’m really grateful for my coaches, my family and my teammates. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without all of them.”

In the women’s 200m freestyle, Kiera Janzen (White Bear Lake, Minn.), who was fourth at the race’s halfway point, took the top podium spot with a 1:58.28. Sarah Henry (Garner, N.C.) charged home in the final 50m to take second place in 1:58.89 and Australia’s Kelly Stubbins hung on for third in 1:59.25.

In the men’s 100m breaststroke, Mike Alexandrov (Champaign, Ill) led from start to finish, winning in 1:00.49. Brad Craig (Midland, Mich.) finished second in 1:00.70 and Cody Miller (Las Vegas, Nev.) clocked in third with a 1:00.82.

In the men’s 200m free, South Africa’s Sebastien Rousseau took first, stopping the clock at 1:48.51. Fellow countryman Darian Townsend finished second in 1:48.80. Tom Kremer of Israel finished third with a time of 1:48.93.

In the women’s 100m breast, Leiston Pickett of Australia won the title in 1:07.19, the tenth best time in the world this year. Lorna Tonks of Australia took second in 1:07.56. American Emma Reaney (Lawrence, Kan.) rounded out the top three, stopping the clock at 1:08.08.

In the men’s 100m back, Russia’s Arkady Vyatchanin grabbed the title in 53.06, the second-fastest time in the world this year. Ryan Murphy (Jacksonville, Fla.) charged home in the final 50m to take second in 53.62. Olympian Nick Thoman (Cincinnati, Ohio) clocked in at 53.65 to finish third.

Competition at the 2013 U.S. Open’s concludes tomorrow, Sat., Aug. 3 at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center and will be followed by the Speedo Junior National Championships from Aug 5-9. The meet can be watched live on www.usaswimming.org or through Deck Pass Plus, the official mobile application of USA Swimming.